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A life-cycle cost analysis for an optimum combination of cool coating and thermal insulation of residential building roofs in Tunisia

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  • Saafi, Khawla
  • Daouas, Naouel

Abstract

The interaction between the roof thermal insulation and the cool roof effects is assessed in order to determine an optimum combination of the two measures. Dynamic simulations and estimation of the annual energy requirements are performed using EnergyPlus. Two roof structures, three insulation materials and three reflectivity scenarios are considered while taking into account the ageing of the cool material. An energy-based optimization shows that the summertime benefits induced by the rise of reflectivity outweigh the winter penalties, and that the optimum value of the roof reflectivity is the highest possible value. Moderate roof insulation levels with cool roof surfaces of as high as possible reflectivity values are recommended in the Tunisian climate. A 20-year life-cycle cost analysis proves the cost-effectiveness of aged and restored cool roof scenarios for uninsulated roofs with a net saving up to 44.53 TND/m2 and a payback period of 3.4 years. In terms of maximum net savings and considering the environmental benefits of cool roofs, we recommend an optimum combination of the restored concrete-based roof and a 5.4 cm-rockwool thickness. A sensitivity analysis shows that the uncertainties in the economic parameters and changes in the set-point temperatures have a noticeable effect on the optimal parameters.

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  • Saafi, Khawla & Daouas, Naouel, 2018. "A life-cycle cost analysis for an optimum combination of cool coating and thermal insulation of residential building roofs in Tunisia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 925-938.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:152:y:2018:i:c:p:925-938
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.04.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Saafi, Khawla & Daouas, Naouel, 2019. "Energy and cost efficiency of phase change materials integrated in building envelopes under Tunisia Mediterranean climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    3. Xiaojun Liu & Xin Chen & Mehdi Shahrestani, 2020. "Optimization of Insulation Thickness of External Walls of Residential Buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
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    6. Cristina Piselli & Anna Laura Pisello & Mohammad Saffari & Alvaro de Gracia & Franco Cotana & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2019. "Cool Roof Impact on Building Energy Need: The Role of Thermal Insulation with Varying Climate Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Pourghorban, Arash & Kari, Behrouz Mohammad & Asoodeh, Hedyeh, 2022. "Holistic survey of reflective insulation systems (RISs) in vertical applications in building envelopes under various climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
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    10. Habibi, Shahryar & Obonyo, Esther Adhiambo & Memari, Ali M., 2020. "Design and development of energy efficient re-roofing solutions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 1209-1219.
    11. Carlos-Antonio Domínguez-Torres & Helena Domínguez-Torres & Antonio Domínguez-Delgado, 2021. "Optimization of a Combination of Thermal Insulation and Cool Roof for the Refurbishment of Social Housing in Southern Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-32, September.
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    13. Jiang, Lina & Gao, Yafeng & Zhuang, Chaoqun & Feng, Chi & Zhang, Xiaotong & Guan, Jingxuan, 2024. "Experiment verification and simulation optimization of phase change material cool roof in summer -- A case study of Chongqing, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    14. Antonio Dominguez-Delgado & Helena Domínguez-Torres & Carlos-Antonio Domínguez-Torres, 2020. "Energy and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Cool Roofs Applied to the Refurbishment of Social Housing in Southern Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-35, July.
    15. Domínguez-Torres, Carlos-Antonio & Suárez, Rafael & León-Rodríguez, Angel Luis & Domínguez-Delgado, Antonio, 2024. "Parametric energy optimization of a ventilated facade with windows in Mediterranean climates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
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